Shauna M. Cooper

Racial identity mediates the association between ethnic-racial socialization and depressive symptoms.

Ethnic-racial socialization has been positively linked with psychological adjustment; however, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. In this study, the authors examined the mediating role of racial identity in the association between racial socialization and depressive symptoms. Participants were 211 African American young adults (62% female; mean age = 20.73, SD = 1.90) recruited from a predominately White southeastern university. Multivariate mediation analyses revealed an indirect effect of racial pride messages on depressive symptoms through private regard such that individuals who reported receiving more frequent racial pride messages were more likely to feel positively about their race, and, in turn, less likely to report depressive symptoms. Individuals who reported that their parents engaged in more socialization activities (e.g., attending cultural events) were also more likely to feel positively about their race and, in turn, report fewer depressive symptoms. These results suggest that positive feelings about ones race are important considerations in our understanding of the relation between ethnic-racial socialization and youth psychological adjustment.

Degrees of Difference among Minority Female Juvenile Offenders' Psychological Functioning, Risk Behavior Engagement, and Health Status: A Latent Profile Investigation

Given the increase in the number of female youth who come in contact with the juvenile justice system, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, concerns have been raised about the health status of this population. Using a latent profile analysis, we identified health profiles using indicators of psychological well-being, health risk behaviors, and health status. Participants included 153 minority adolescent females (M=15.13, SD=1.70) who were currently in a juvenile diversion program. Results indicated that a three-class solution fit the data optimally. Profiles included girls with low to moderate health risks (n=35; 22.9%), higher mental health symptoms (n=68; 44.4%), and a combination of multiple health risks (n=50; 32.7%). Additionally, demographic, contextual and offense-related variation existed across health profiles. Treatment and policy implications are discussed.

Community Involvement and Reduced Risk Behavior Engagement Among African American Adolescents The Mediating Role of Empowerment Beliefs

Studies have indicated disproportionate health risks among African American adolescents. Given these estimates, research has focused on the prevention of health risk behaviors among this population. Using a strengths-based approach, the current study explored associations between community involvement and African American youths’ health risk behaviors. Additionally, this investigation examined youths’ empowerment beliefs as a mediator of this association. Participants in this study were 1,452 African American youth (M = 14.41; SD = 1.14; 59% female) residing in a large Midwestern city. Results indicated that community involvement was not directly associated with adolescent health risk behaviors. However, empowerment beliefs mediated the association between community youth involvement and adolescent sexual risk behaviors. Findings suggest the importance of identifying mechanisms that better illuminate the link between community involvement and African American adolescents’ health risk behaviors.

Profiles of African American College Students’ Alcohol Use and Sexual Behaviors: Associations With Stress, Racial Discrimination, and Social Support

Though studies show that alcohol use and sexual activity increase during emerging adulthood, few studies examine within–ethnic group differences, particularly among African American college students. This investigation utilized a latent class analytic methodology to identify risk behavior profiles of alcohol use (frequency and amount of alcohol consumed), sexual activity (number of intimate partners), and co-occurring risk behaviors (drinking before sexual intercourse) among 228 African American college students. This investigation also examined whether identified risk behavior profiles were associated with stress (interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, and environmental), experiences of racial discrimination, and social support (from family, friends, and the college community). Results identified five distinct profiles within this sample: (a) High Sexual Risk—above-average sexual activity; (b) Abstainers—below-average alcohol use and sexual activity; (c) Low Risk—average alcohol use and sexual activity; (d) Alcohol Risk—above-average alcohol use and below-average sexual activity; and (e) Co-Occurring Risk—above-average alcohol use and sexual activity. Identified profiles differed across interpersonal and environmental stress, and self-reported frequency of experiences with racial discrimination. Implications for prevention programs and interventions aimed at reducing alcohol and sexual activity for African American college students are discussed.